Brick



Dec.. 29, 1931i w. w. WALLACE Re. 18,309

DUMPING FORK Original Filed June 7. 192'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IU sATTORNEYJ W. W. WALLACE Dec. 29, 1931.

DUMPING FORK oiginal Filed June 7, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

Dec. 2,9, 1931. w W WALLACE I Re. 18,309

DUMPING FORK Original Filed June 7, 192'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY-5.

w. w. WALLACE Re. 18,309

- DUMPINA FORK Original Filed June 7. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Reissued Dec. 29, 1931 narran STATES-PATENT OFFICE *y WILLIAM W.WALLACE, DECEASED, LATE OF NEW Y0RK,VN. Y.,

BY NEW YORK BRICK HANDLING CORPORATION, ASSIGNEE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A.CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK DUMPING FORK Original No. 1,745,839, datedFebruary 4, 1930, Serial No. 197,027, led .Tune 7, 1927. Application lorreissue file-d June 18, 1931. .Serial No. 545,340. v

This invention relates to brick handling devices, and more particularlyto an im.- proved dumping fork.

With the advent of railroad container cars and the rapid use of suchcars in the transportation Aof the finished brick from the yard to thdelivery point or destination thereof, considerable difliculty has beeneX- perienced in utilizing mechanical loading and unloading devices toeconomically fill such containers. To economically ll such containerswith mechanically handled brick, it is practically necessary for thelifting or dumping fork with its load or unit of brick to be depositedin such container and gently placed to unload the unit load of-brick inthe bottom of the container. The containers being relatively small andthe lifting fingers of the ordinary dumping fork being rigid withrespect to the frame of the lifting or dumping fork, there is not roomto retract the lifting fork from the unit of brick. Where a lifting ordumping fork with pivoted fingers is employed, there is so large afulcrum or leverage to permit retracting of the lifting fingers indumping the load that it is impossible to utilize such construction in aconfined space such as is found in container cars. Further, theoperating means for tripping the liftingl fingers Ais ordinarilyarranged to operate from below the fork rather than from above the same.There was, therefore, prior to the present invention, no dumping forkwhich could be successfully employed in loading container cars withbrick or other like articles.

In the present invention the difficulties enumerated above with respectto former types of dumping forks are obviated and therevis produced adumping fork in which the fingers are pivotally arranged at the lower`end of the fork frame and the increased leverage necessary tosuccessfully lockthe fingers in normal or rigid position is obtained byutilizing the force necessary to lift the load or unit of brick itselfand when once locked, the weight of the load will retain the fingers inlocked position.

By this construction, a dumping fork is provided wherein the mechanismextending t to the rear of the fork orffork frame is a minimum and suchfork may be opera-ted in a small space. Further, the operating mechanismfor releasing the pivoted lifting fingers to thereby allow the unit loadof brick to be deposited within the container may be operated fromeither above or below the lifting fork, and, therefore,

To facilitate entering the fork under the unit of brick, the portion ofthe lifting fingers to the rear of the actual lifting surface is beveledback, as such construction assists in entering the fork under the unitof brick when the front ends of the fingers are somewhat elevated.Again, the outer ends of the lifting fingers are arranged higher thanthe ends of the fingers adjacent to the fulcrum thereof, as with suchconstruction the load is naturally balanced toward the back of the oneof the chief -diiiiculties is successfully overcome.

machine and thus bricks are prevented from falling off the unit. It hasbeen further found desirable to provide guard plates, both for the frontof the frame carrying the lifting fingers and-for the rear thereof, assuch frame protects the various devices from injury by the bricksthemselves and from injury by engagement with the walls of thecontainer. y

The principal object of the invention, therefore, is an improved dumpingfork.

A further object of the invention is an improved dumping fork having aplurality of parallelly arranged and pivoted lifting iingers. n

A still further object of the invention is an improved dumping forkprovided with` locking means for the pivoted lifting fingers.

Another object o-f the invention is an improved guard device forprotecting the operating mechanism of a dumping fork.

A further object of the invention is an improved construction whereby aunit load of brick will 'be carried in a position to prevent the outerbricks thereof from falling.

Other objects and novel features ofthe construction and arrangement ofparts comprising the device will appear as the description of theinvention progresses.

In the accompanying drawings illustrattion, Figure 1 is a sideelevation. Figure 2 1s a plan view. Figure 3 is a front elemembers uponwhich the lifting fingers 12 ends being part of the fulcrum shaft 21,reciprocating vation. Figure 4 is a rear elevation. Figure 5 is asection.on the line 5 5 of Figure 2. Figure 6 is ure 2. Figure 7 of F iO'ure 2.A Y

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a finger bar in which issecured'adjacentits lower end a finger hinge rod 11, and on such fingerhinge rod is pivotally mounted a pluralltyof parallelly-arranged lifting`fingers 12. Such fingers are commonly knownA as dumping fingers Vtodistinguish from such lifting fingers as are rigidly attached to theirsupporting frame. Formed integral `with and extending upwardly from thebodyv of the finger bar 10 are braces or brackets 13, to which are.secured by: oltsv14-upwa'rdly-extendin frame members 15 of suitablelength. Secure to the top of saidrframe members 15 by bolts 16 arehorizontally-extending frame members is a section on the line 7;-7

15 and 17 constitute a rigid frame are pivotally supported. The framemembers 17 are arranged in pairs and` lugs 19. Secured to each `of theshackle lug plates 18 and extending downwardly and substantiallyvertically are guard angles 20. The

Further,.pivotally attached to each shackle lug 19 is a lifting shackle26 pivotally attached to a shackle 27 attached to a bar 28 on thelifting device associated with the bar 25. vTheshackles 23 and 26together with the associated members therefor, form a four-pointsuspension for the apparatus. The other ends of the levers 22 areforked, as indicated at 29, such other lever 22v andformed integrallytherewith, and` in each forked end is pivotally attached vto the upperend of a compression rod 30. The lower ends of these rods 30` `arethreaded to receive Vadjusting nuts `31and pass throughinwardly-extending lugs 32 formed integral with and onvone face of afinger plate 33. The linger plate 33 is provided on its lower end with ashaft 34,A such shaft passing through and pivotallyjengagingwith alignedperforations in a rearward extension 35 on'each of the lifting fingersl2. As the levers 22 are rotated'onthe motionjis a section onv the line6 6 of FigvThe socket 42 is 17. The finger bar 10, and Aframe each pairhas secured at. itsrrear end a shackle lug plate 18., such plates havingformed integral therewith shackleV lhas pivotally imparted to thecompression rods 30 anda simultaneous pivoting movement of the liftingllingers 12 takes place about the finger hinge shaft 11.

a bearing for a locking shaft 38. Secured to VFthe upper face of themember 36 is a locking latch shaft box 39'acting as abearing and as asup-port for the front end of the locking shaft 38. Secured lto the rearend of the locking shaft 38 is a locking lever hub 40, on which isformed a downwardly-e2;- tending member 41 and an upwardly-extendingsocket member 42. Secured to the member'41 by bolts 43 is a lever 44,byV means of which theelocking shaft 38 may be rotated. adapted toreceive the end of any suitable lever, by means of which the shaft 38may be rotated from the upper end of the apparatus. Formed in the frontface of the locking latch frame 37 is a guideway 1n whichv are slidablymounted on either side of the locking shaft 38, locking latches 45.

the front face of the locking latch frame 37 is a locking latch Vcrank46, and this crank mounted at either end thereof a connecting rod 47.The other ends of these connecting rods 47 are pivotally attached to thelocking latches 45. Rotation of the locking shaft 38 will cause areciprocatory inward or outward movement of the locking latches withrespect to such shaft 38 and in alignment with the path of movement ofsuch locking latches are locking notches y48 formed in the forked ends29 of the levers 22.

, When theparts ofthe device, therefore, are

the member 36 and the frame i in the position shown in Figure 5, withthe levers 22 practically horizontal and with the locking latches 45 intheir outward position to engage with the notches 48 in the rear ends ofsuch levers 22, the plurality of parallellyarranged lifting fingers 12will be in the full line position shown in Figure 1, and when thusarranged, a. load may b e placed thereon and carried thereby withoutdanger of dumping the load accidently.` If, now,'the fork and load. arelowered into the container rand brought to rest on the bottom thereof,or on brick already I placed therein, the strain is removed from thelifting devices to which the barsl 25 and 28 are attached and the lever44 may then be operated to rotate the shaft 38 in the proper directiontor retract the locking latches 45 from-the notches 48. When the liftingdevices arev again actuated to raise the fork .from the container, .theweight of the load ofL brick on the lift-ing fingers 2 is sufficient torotate the lifting fingers 12 about the finger hinge rod 11 sothat thefingers assume the position indicated in'dotted lines in Figure 1 andthe brick are dumped from the fingers. Thus theretraction of the lockYAing latches conditions the apparatus for dumping lof brick by theremoval of the ap paratus from the container.

It will be notedthat the distance from the linger hinge rod 11rearwardly tothe shaft 34 on the finger plate 33 is very short,and,'therefore, the overall dimension of the device is a minimum. Thisallows the apparatus to be operated in a relatively small space. It willbe seen that all ofthe operating parts are located within the verticalprojection of the frame of the fork when the guard angles 2O areconsidered as a part of said frame. Thus these parts are protectedagainst injury and undesired actuation by contact with the walls of thecontainer as the device is lowered into the container.

It is found preferable to attach to the front face of the finger bar 10and the vertical frame members 15 a baiiie plate 50 in any suitablemanner to prevent bricks oriother articles from' falling off the loadinto the mechanism at the rear of the apparatus.

As there is a certain amount of spring in 1j the frame and in thecarrying fingers 12,

it is necessary to provide adjustment for taking care of this conditionin order that the fingers may be in their proper' position after a loadis placed thereon. In order that this may be accomplished, there areplaced on the threaded ends of the rods 30, adjusting nuts 31 whichengage with the lugs 32. Therefore, by properly adjusting the nuts 31 onthe rods 30 and with relation to the a lugs 32, the angular position ofthe lifting fingers 12 with respect to the framework may be varied asdesired. TheV use of the adjustable compression rod, as above described,is, as far as the inventor was aware,

new and novel and it is proposed to claim the same broadly.

By referring to Figure 3, there will be noticed a dot and dash line 51,which touches the upper surfaces of the lifting fingers 12, and furtherit will be noticed that such line 51 is a curved line and indicates thatthe upper surfaces of the lifting fingers 12 define a concave surface.It is obvious, therefore, that when a rectangular unit of brick islifted on the fingers 12, that the middle portion of such unit of brickwill rest at a lower level than the outer portions of such unit andthere will, therefore, be a tendency for the outer upper edges of thebricks of the unit to move inwardly. This construction, therefore,steadies the unit of brick on the fork and prevents the outer bricks ofthe unit from falling.

While the drawings and specification herein necessarily show anddescribe the pre` fer-red embodimentl of the invention somewhat indetail, it is to be understood that the size, shape and arrangement ofparts comprising the device may be varied within Wide limits withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

In co-pending application, Serial No. 204,217, filed July 8', 1927, ofW'illiam W. Wallace,.there is described and claimed an improved methodof operating the fork constituting the present invention.

I-Iaving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: f

1. An improved dumping fork comprisinga frame, a plurality of liftingfingers pivotally attached theretov for rotation in vertical planes intoand out of horizontal position, lifting mechanism associated therewith,and means` associated with the lifting mechanism for rotating saidlifting fingers about their pivot point.

2. In an improved dumping fork, the combination of a frame, a pluralityof lifting fingers arranged parallel to each other, and pivotallyattached at a pointA intermediate `their ends to the frame, a fingerplate piv-A otally attached at one end to one end of the liftingfingers, a lever, connections between the lever and the finger plate,and a locking device associated with said lever for locking the liftingfingers in operative position.

3. In an improved dumping fork, the com# bination of a frame, a leverpivotally mounted intermediate its ends at the top of said frame, aplurality of parallelly-arranged lifting fingers pivotally mountedintermediate their ends at the bottom of` said frame, connectionsextending between the lifting fingers and lever, and a manuallyoperablelockingvdevice mounted on said yframe and co-acting with the lever forlocking the lifting fingers in operative position.

4L In a dumping fork, the combination of a frame, lifting mechanismassociated 'therewith, a plurality of lifting lingers pivotally mountedon the frame, controlling means associated with the lifting mechanismfor positively operating' said Vlifting fingers, and guard membersmounted on said france for preventing injury to the operating mechamsm.

5. In an improved dumping fork, .a plurality ofpivotally-arrangedlifting fingers lying parallel to each other and with the upper surfacesof each succeeding linger from the outside inward with respect to theplurality of fingers at a lower level than. the preceding finger.

6. In an improved dumping fork, the combination of a. frame, a pluralityof lifting fingers pivotally attached thereto. at the lower end thereof,said fingers vdefining by their upper edges a practically concavesurface.

7. In an improved dumping fork, the conn bination of a frame,a'plurality of lifting able ina vertical plane,

nism for said lifting ffingers pivotally' said controlling y saidfingers so as to fingers pivotally attached thereto and movmounted onthe frame, mechanisms being'adjustably attached to the lifting fingers,whereby the angle of the lifting fingers with respect to the frameworkmay beadjusted at will. v

8. A :brick handling fork comprising an upper supporting frame, a.vertical frame depending therefrom, a plurality of ,fingers pivotallymounted to the lower end of said vertical frame and extendingsubstantially horizontally therefrom for supporting a load of bricks, alocking'element slidably mounted in said upper supportingframe, andmeans for operatively connecting said element with said lingers fornormally maintaining said lingers in supporting position and releasingpermit them v'to move about their pivotal mounting into dumping positionwhen actuated.

9. A brick handling fork for loading railroad containers comprising asupport having a downwardly-.extending portion, brick-supporting fingerspivotally mounted on the* lower end of said downwardly-extendingportion, meansfor lockingsaid fingers in brick-supporting position, andreleasing means for releasing saidl locking means to permit dumpingofthe brick, said releasing means being operable from a point'exteriorc-f said railroad container when said brick handling fork is positionedwithin said container, and.k said locking'means and said releasing meansbeing positioned Within the vertical projection of the dimensions ofsaid support. f 10. AnV apparatus for loading brick into railroadcontainers including 'f a dumping fork adapted to support a stack ofbrick thereon and adapted to be'positioned within said container withoutdumping of brick, means for. so positioning the same, and means oractuating said fork for dumping of brick whenso positioned. 1

. 1l. An apparatus for loading brick into railroad containers includinga dumping fork adapted to support astack of brick thereon and adapted tobepositioned within said container withoutA dumpingV of brick, means forso positioning the same,fand means for conditioningsaid fork when sopositioned for dumpingof brick by the removal of said fork from' saidcontainer.

12. An apparatus for loading brick into railroad containers including adumping fork adapted to support a stack of brick thereon and adapted tobe positioned Within said container, means for so positioning the same,means for actuating said fork for dumping of brick when so positioned,and means for protectlng said actuatmg means against cont-actwith thesides of said container.

13. apparatus for loading brick into controlling mecha- .railroadcontainers including a dumping fork adapted to support a stackV of brickthereon and adapted toV bel positionedwithin said container withoutdumping of brick, and means for actuating said fork for dumping of brickwhen sov positioned..

14. Anapparatus for .loading brick into railroad containers includinga'dumping fork adapted to support .a stack of brick thereon and adaptedvto be positioned within said container without dumping of brick, and

means for conditioning said fork when so positioned for dumping ofbrickby the removal of said fork from said container.

15. An apparatus for loading brick into railroad containers including adumping fork adapted to support a stack of brick thereon and adapted tobe positioned within said container, and means for actuating said forkfor dumping of brick when so positioned, said actuating means beingprotected against'contact with the sides Vof said container.

l16. An apparatus for loading brick into railroad containers including aframe, a plurality of dumping fingers attached thereto and adapted-tosupport a stack of brick thereon, said frame and said fingers beingadapt'- ed to be positioned within said container without `dumping ofbrick positioned. Y,

v17. An apparatus for loading brick into' railroad containers includinga frame, a pluralityof dumping fingers attached thereto' and adapted tosupport a stack of brick there'- on, said frame and said fingersbeingadapted to be positioned within said container without dumping ofbrick,l and means for conditioning said fingers when so positionedfordumping of brick, by the removal of said frame andingers from saidcontainer. f 18. Anv apparatusfor loading brick into railroad containersincluding a frame, a plurality of dumping fingers attached thereto andadaptedV to support a stack of brick thereon, means for locking saidfingers to pre'- vent dumping of brick, means for protecting saidlocking means against/contact with the sides of said container, wherebysaid l'apparatus maybe positioned "Within said container without dumpingof brick, and means for releasing said locking means for dumping ofbrick when so positioned.

19. Apparatusfforloading brick into railroad containers including aframe having an upper portion and downwardly-extending portions--fastened thereto, brick stack supporting means'pivotally mounted on theVVlower end Vof said'downwardly-extending portions and mechanismfor'rel'easably lockand means for actuat- `ing said fingers for dumpingofbrick when so ing said supporting means Vin brick-supporting positionto' support a stack of brick for movement with the frame to a positionwithin thecontainen said locking mechanism including parts located onvthe] upper portion of said frame and accessible from above for operationthereof to releasesaid locking mechanism and parts extending verticallysubstantially within the confines of the downwardly-extending portionsof said frame, the release of said locking means permitting saidsupporting means to move relative to the brick stack and the frame, asthe loading apparatus is withdrawn from the container. c

20. Apparatus for loading brick into railroad containers including aframe having downwardly-extending portions, brick stack supporting`means `pivotally mounted on the lower end of said downwardly-extendingportions, and means including parts extending vertically Within theconfines of the downwardly-extending portions of the frame forreleasably locking said supporting means in brick-supporting position tosupport a stack of brick for movement with said frame to a positionwithin said container, the release of said locking means permitting saidsupporting means to move relatively of the frame. forl dumping of thebrick as the loading apparatus is withdrawn from the container.

21. Apparatus for loading brick into railroad containers comprising aframe adapted to be positioned within the container parallel with andclosely adjacent to one vertical wall thereof, brick stack supportingmeans movably mounted on the frame, and means including parts extendingvertically along and within the plane of the frame for releasablylocking said supporting means against movement relative to the frame toreceive a brick stack and support the same for movement with the frameto position within the container, the release of said locking meanspermitting said supporting means to move relative to the brick stack andthe frame, as the loading apparatus is withdrawn from the container.

22. Apparatus for loading brickinto rail-y road containers comprising aframe adapted to be positioned within the container parallel with andclosely adjacent to one vertical wall thereof; brick stack supportingmeans movably mounted on the frame; and means, all of the parts of whichare within the vertical projection of the outer dimensions of saidframe, for releasably locking said supporting means against movementrelative to the frame to receive a brick stack and sup` port the samefor movement with the frame to position within the container; therelease of said locking means permitting said supporting means to moverelative to the brick stack and the frame as the loading apparatus iswithdrawn from the container.

23. A brick handling fork for loading railroad containers comprising aframe having a downwardly-extending portion, brick-supporting fingerspivotally mounted on the lower end of said downwardly-extending portion,means for locking said fin-gers in brick-supporting position, andreleasing means for releasing said locking means to permit dumping ofbrick, said releasing means being positioned so as to be operable from apoint exterior of said railroad container when said brick handling forkis positioned within said container and said locking means and saidreleasing means being positioned within the vertical projection of theouter dimensions of said frame.

24. An improved dumping fork including a finger bar, a plurality oflifting fingers pivotally attached thereto for rotation in verticalplanes into and out of horizontal position, means for connecting thefork wit-h lifting mechanism, and means connected with said last-namedmeans for rotating said lifting fingers about their pivot point.

25. In an improved brick handling fork, a plurality of lifting fingerslying parallel with each other and adapted to support a load of brickthereon, the outermost of said fingers having their upper surfaces at ahigher level than the remainder of said fingers.

26. In a brick loading fork, a series of lifting fingers disposed inspaced parallel planes to support a load of brick, the individualfingers having their load contacting surfaces relatively positioned totilt the outer lrick of the load inwardly to stabilize the loa 27,Apparatus for loading brick into railroad containers including a framehaving an upper portion and downwardly extending portions fastenedthereto, brick stack supporting means pivotally mounted on the lower endof said .downwardly extending portion, and mechanism including a partconnected with said supporting means and also a part located on theupper portion of said frame and accessible from above for operationthereof, for releasably locking said supporting means in bricksupporting position to support a stack of brick for movement with theframe to a position Within the container, and to release said supportingmeans for permitting it to moverelative to the brick stack and theframe, as the loading apparatus is withdrawn from the container.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto affixed our signatures.

NEW YORK BRICK HANDLING CORPORATION,

Assignee of William W. Wallace, Deceased, By WALTER W. POSEY,

Pres.

